Mechanism for regulating the expression in apparatus for playing musical instruments



Nov. 17, 1925- 1,562,023

0. H. ANDERSON MECHANISM FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FORPLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 21. 1922 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov.17 1925- 1,562,023

0 H. ANDERSON MECHANISM FOR REGULATIN G THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FORPLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 21, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 if?aaar 72 n5 7; W%%%% Nov. 17, 1925- 1,562,023

H. ANDERSON O. MECHANISM FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FORPLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 21. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 r 11%AZ 0 II g ZZZ .6,

- L 9 jive/707 llll 7430721 Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR H. ANDERSON, OF GB 1ND HAVEN,

MICHIG'TAN, ASSIGHOR TO STORY 8n CLARK PIANO (10., OF GRAND EAVEN,LZIJLIEGAIQ', A CORFOBATION 0F ILLINQIS.

MECHANISM: FOR REGULATING TEE EXZRESSIQN IN APPAIRATUE; FOB PLAYINGMUSECAL INSTRUIVIENTS.

Application filed April 21, 1922.

To all 10720171 it in (1 concern:

Be it known that I, Osonn H. Annnnson, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Haven, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mechanism "for Regulatingthe Expression in Apparatus for Playing Musical Instruments, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for playing musicalinstruments.

This invention relates to that kind oi apparatus for playing musicalinstruments such as player pianos, wherein the notestriking mechanism isactuated by strikerpneumatics, controlled by a perforated notesheetpassing over the tracker-board.

The invention more especially relates to the expression means of suchdevices. ()ne of the objects of the invention is to provide such deviceswith means, whereby the notes of the musical instrument may be struckwith varying degrees of intensity, in order to give more accurate orartistic expression. Such expression means is adapted to be con trolledby supplemental expression holes in the tracker-board in connection withsupplemental expression perforations of apertures in the music sheet,adapted to register with the same.

In that form of device, embodying the features of my invention shown inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional viewshowing, somewhat diagrann matically, a complete player piano, Fig. 2 isa. vertical sectional view of a part of the expression device, Fig. 3 isa view taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 2, Fig. & is a top planview of the valve-box, constituting a part of the expression regulatingmechanism, showing a part broken away, Fig. 5 is a view taken asindicated by the line 5 of Fig. t, Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicatedby the line 6 of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a view taken as indicated by theline. 7 of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a view taken as indicated by the line 8of Fig. 4.

In Fig. 1 there is shown, in general, and somewhat diagrammatically, acomplete player piano for the purpose of illustrating one manner inwhich my expression regulating mechanism may be used in connection.

with apparatus for playing musical instruments. It is to be understood,however,

Serial No. 555,840.

that this showing is merely tor the purpose oi giving an example of oneuse of the invention. The invention is not to be restricted to thisarrangement or use; it being with in the spirit and scope of theinvention to use the expression regulating mechanism in connection withother forms and types oi apparatus for playing musical instruments.

As shown in Fig. 1, A indicates, in general, an upright player piano ofthe vacuum type. Suitable means, such as an exhauster or pumping bellows20, and an equalizer or reservoir bellows 21., are provided for produeing and n'iaintaining a substantially constant partial vacuum. Theexhauster or pumping bellows is adapted to be operated by the pedals andsuitable connections are provided so that there is maintained within theequalizer or reservoir bellows 21, a substantially constant partialvacuum. The vacuum produced in the equalizer or reservoir bellows 21communicated by a pipe 24L to the expression regulatingmechanis--indicated in general by B (the valve 30X B forming part thereof). Theconstruotion and operation of this expression mechanism B and B will bedescribed more in detail hereinafter. From the expression r gulatingmechanism the vacuun'i is communicated by the pipe to the wind-trunk orwind-chest Pinch of a series of compartments 27 is connected with astrikerpneumatic 28 by a duct 29. A port 39 connects the compartments 27with the windchest 26. It will be understood that there is a diiierentcompartment 27 for each striker-pneumatic 28 and that there is one ofsuch striker-pneumatics for each key of the instrument. Thestriker-pneumatic 28 is provided with a finger 31 adapted to operate 0nthe key 32 of the instrument, so that when the pneumatic collapses, thefinger 31 will operate downwardly on the key 32 to strike thecorresponding note. Each compartment 27 is provided with a port 35 leading to the duct 29. Opposite the port 35, the duct 29 is provided with aport 36 opening into the atmosphere. .A valve disk 37 is provided foropening and closing said ports. The valve disk 37 is mounted on a stem38, having one end attached to a diaphragm 39 arranged across thecompartment 27. A tube 40 leads from the compartment 27 on the side ofthe diaphragm 39 opposite the valve :77, to one of the holes in thetracker-board ll. Normally, the valve 37 closes the port and opens theport 36, so that atmospheric air is admitted .to the striker-pneumatic28 to hold the same ex panded. hen the hole or aperture in the note ormusic sheet registers with the hole in the lracker-board ll, to whichthe tube 40 is connected, atmospheric air is admitted to the(JUDIPZUTUIIQHY 27 on the left (as viewed in Fig. 1) side of thediaphragm 39. This pressure acts on the diaphragm 339, to move the valve37 to close the port and open the port 35. The vacuum in the compartment27 is then communicated tlnrough the port 35 to the duct 29, and thenceto the strikerqnieumatic 28 to collapse the same and strike the note.VVhen the pipe 40 is again closed by the note-sheet 45, the valve h 3'?moves back to the position shown in Fi 1, to close the port 35 and openthe port 36. This return movement is facilitated by a small bleedconnection L7, leading from the compartment 27 on the left (as viewed inFig. 1) side of the diaphragm 39 to the wind-chest or wind-trunk 26.Gpening of the port 36 admits atmospheric air to the striker-pneumatic28 to again expand it.

I will now describe more in detail the construction and operation of theexpression regulating mechanism, indicated in general by B and B. Thepart B of this mechanism may be referred to in general as the mainexpression regulating valve, and the part B as the controllingvalve-box. It obvious that the speed with which the striker-pneumaticswill be collapsed, or the degree 0t intensity with which the notes willbe strucl; will depend upon the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest 26.As has been stated before, the degree of vacuun'i in the reservoirbellows or equalizers 2.1 will be substantially constant. In general, itmay be slatml, that the expression of the regulating mechanism l) and lloperate to vary the degree of vacuum in the windchest 26, in order tovary the intensities. with which the notes are struck. Such variat onot' degree of vacuum in the wind chest 26 is controlled by foursupplemental expression holes in the tracker-board, with whichsupplemental expression perforations or apertures in the music sheet areadapted to register. Such supplemental expression holes in thetracker-board may be located as desired and are ordinarily at one sideof the tracker-board. I have here shown the expression regulatingmechanism B and B operating upon all of the notes of the instrument atthe same time. There is. therefore, shown only one of such mechanisms.It is obvious. however, that, without detracting' from the spirit ofthis invention, more of such expression regulating mechanisms can beused. For example, the

notes of the instrument could be divided. into separate groups, and oneof such mechanisms installed for each group; or, if de sired there couldbe one of such expression regulating mechanisms tor each individualnote.

As has been stated. before, the mechanisn'i B and B operates to vary thedegree of vacuum in the wind-chest It will be seen, however, that suchvacuum would also be affected by the number of notes struck at. once,since this will afl ect the demand on the wind-chest; unlesscompensating means are provided. There is, therefore, provided in theexpression regulating mechanism, compensating means to prevent thedegree of vacuum in the wind-chest 26 from being affected by the numberof notes struck at once. The degree of vacuum in the windchest 26 is,therefore, varied by the expres sion regulating mechanism B and B togive the desired expression; and such degree of vacuum is prevented bysuch mechanism from being affected by the demand on the wind-chest 26.

The main expression regulating valve, indicated in general by B (seeFigs. 2 and 3), includes a box having the pipe 24 leading to thereservoir 21 and entering at one side. The upper side of this box 00 ispro vided with a round hole 51 opening into a port 52 leading to thepipe 25 which goes to the wind-chest 26. Within the box 50 is a valvedisk 53, adapted to control the opening 51. The disk 53 is provided witha downwardly extending stem 54, having mounted upon ita collar 55.Arranged below the box 50 is a bellows 57, the lower member of which isfixed, and the upper member, indicated by 58, adapted to fall or rise,depending upon whether the bellows is being collapsed or expanded. Themember 58 carries an extension or arm 59, pro vidcd with a hole 60,through which the valve stem 54 extends. The collar 55 is urrane'ed onthe stem just above the hole and adapted to be engaged by the member 59:so that as the bellows 57 expands the valve will be closed, and as itcollapses, the valve 53 will be opened. It will be seen that the valve53, controlling the hole 51, will affect the amount of air withdrawnfrom the pipe and will thus affect the degree of vacuum in thewind-chest 26. The movement of this valve 53 will, therefore, regulatethe expression of the musical instrument. r

The following means are provided for opening and closing the valve 53.As has been stated, this valve is opened and closed by means of thebellows 57. The bellows 5'? is controlled in the following manner. A pi3e 61 leads from the bellows 57 to the valve-box B (see Figs. 4 to 8).The pipe 61 onnects with a port or manifold 62 inside tion slightlyopen.

oi the valve-box B. From the manifold 62 are four ducts or passages 63,each leading to a check valve 64-. From each of the check valves 64 asmall duct or passage leads to a valve chamber 66. It is to beunderstood that there are four of such ducts 63, each having itscorresponding check valve 64:, valve chamber 66, and other associatedparts. It is obvious, however, that, without detracting from the spiritof this invention. the number of such units may be varied as desired, inorder to give any desired number of variations or range of expression.Since the construction and operation of such units is similar, I willdescribe but one in detail. The valve chambers 66 are arranged in lineabove a chamber 67 extending longitudinally of the valve-box. Thischamber 67 is connected by means of a pipe 68 to the pipe '24:, so thatthere will be maintained in the chamber 67 av substantially constantpartial vacuum from the bellows 21. Leading from each of the valvechambers 66 to the chamber 67 is a port 68. Each of the valve chambers66 has also a port 69, above the port 68, leading to the atmosphere. Twovalve disks 70 and 71 are mounted on a valve stem 72. The disk 7 O isadapted to open and close the port 69, and the disk 71 is adapted toopen and close the port 68. The lower end of each valve stem 7 2 restson a diaphragm 7 5 covering a chamber 76. There is a separate chamber 76for each of the four valves. Each of the tour chambers 76 has a smallpipe 77 leading to one of the four supplemental expression holes in thetracker-board 41. Each check valve 64 is constructed as shown (see Fig.8) .to permit passage ofair from the duct 63'to the duct 65, but not ina reverse direct-ion. Each duct or passage 63 is provided with aregulating screw 80 to regulate the size of the effective openingthereof. That is, the end of the passage 63 where it opens into themanifold 62 is restricted by the screw 80; i

The regulating screws 80 are adjusted desired; and ordinarily so thateach of the ducts or passages 63 will have a different sized effectiveopening. Normally, the hole 68 will be closed by the valve disk 71, sothat no vacuum will be communicated from the chamber 67 through anyofthe ducts 63 to the pipe 61. The bellows will therefore remainexpanded. When in this position, the valve 53 will be in its normal posilVhen any one of the expression holes in the music sheet registers withthe corresponding hole in the trackerboard, to which the pipe 77 isconnected, atmospheric air is admitted into the chamber 76. Thispressure raises the diaphragm 7 5, thus raising thevalve disks 70 and 71to open the hole 68 and close the hole 69 (see Fig. 8). Vacuum is thencommunicated *Eromthe chamber-67; to the hole 68, ports 'withdrawal ofair from the pipe 61.

and 63 to the' pipe 61, and thence to the bellows 57, thus collapsingsuch bellows to a certain extent. Such collapsing of the bellows 57permits the valve 53 to open wider, thus giving a higher degree ofvacuum through the pipe 25 into the wind-chest 26, and thus causing thenotes to be struck with greater intensity. The exact intensity withwhich the notes are struck will depend upon the degree to which thebellows 57 is col-- This will depend upon the rate of This rate ofwithdrawal of air is varied, depending upon the particular valve 70, 71operated. As has been stated, there are four of such valves, eachcontrolled by a separate pipe 77 to the tracker-board, and eachoperating in connection with a separate duct or passage 63. Each of theducts or passages 63 is adjusted by the adjusting screw ,80, so thatthey all have different sizes. It will be seen, therefore, that fourintensities are obtained, depending upon which one of the four pipes 77is uncovered. Obviously, without detracting from the spirit of thisinvention, there may be any desired number of such valves to give anynumber otdilferent degrees of intensity.

Each of the chambers 76 isprovided with a small bleed port 90 leadingltothe chamberv 67 to facilitate the downward movement of the valve 7 0,71, when the pipe 77 is shut off.

Ashas been stated above, compensating means are also provided, so thatthe demand on the wind-chest 26 will notafl ect the vacuum therein.compensating means. Within the bellows 57 is a smaller compensatingbellows 101. A pipe 102 leads from the compensating'bel lapsed:

lows to the duct 52 which communicates with the pipe 25. The uppermember 105 of the bellows 101 is movable and is provided at its pivotedend with an extension106, carrying a rol1er107. The upper member 58 ofthe bellows 57 carries an adjusting screw 108, thelower end" of which isadapted to engage with the roller 107 when themember 58 movesdownwardly. It will be seen that the roller 107 is raised as the bellows101 is-collapsed, As the roller 107 israised, the screw 108 engages itsooner as the bellows 57 is collapsed. It will be seen, therefore, thatcollapsing of the bellows 101 will raise the roller 107 and thus shortenthe amount of collapse of the bellows 57. The operation of thiscompensating bellows is as follows. When few notes are being struck, thedemand on the wind-chest 26 is relatively slight, and consequently thevacuum insuch wind-chest and in the pipe 25 will bevbuilt up. Suchincrease of vacuum will be communicated. through the pipe 102 to thecompensating bellows 101 to partially collapsethe same. Such-collapse ofthe bellows- 101 will; operate as described above, to

I will now describe such limit the collapse of the bellows 57, and thuslimit the opening of the valve 53, and thus prevent withdrawal of air,thus decreasing the vacuum. The reverse operation is as follows. If manynotes are being struck at once, so that there is a heavy demand on thewind-chest 26, the vacuum will be partially destroyed therein. This willallow the compensating bellows 101 to open, thus allow ing a greatercollapse of the bellows 57, wider opening of the valve 53 and fasterwithdrawal of air through the hole 51.

Although in describing the construction and operation of the device, Ihave spoken of normal positions and the like, and have referred togreater and less intensities with which the notes are struck and thelike; it is to be understood that the parts may be so adjusted thatdifferent elements of the regulating mechanism are held in balance, sothat with normal playing the part-s are in such balanced position. Fromsuch position the parts may move in order to give variations to eitherside of the normal. Likewise, the compensating bellows 101 may be heldin balance when an average number of notes are being played in a giventime. From such balanced position, such compensating bellows may operateto either side, depending upon whether more notes or fewer notes thanthe average are being played.

' While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention,it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications.Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdisclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claimall novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible in view ofthe prior art. What I claim as new, and desire to secure 7 by LettersPatent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means forcontrolling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means includinga bellows, an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said bellowsand exhausting mechanism, a series of valve controlled ports ofdifferent sizes in said communication between said bellows andexhausting mechanism, and an adjustable stop pneumatic controlled by thedegree of vacuum in the wind-chest for limiting the movement of saidbellows.

2. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means forcontrolling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means includinga bellows, an exhausting, mechanism, a communication between saidbellows and exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled meanscontrolling the communication between said bellows and ex haustingmechanism, and an adjustable stop pneumatic controlled by the degree ofvacuum in the wind-chest to limit the move ment of said bellows.

3. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means forcontrolling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means includinga bellows, an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said bellowsand exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled means controlling thecommunication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, andcompensating means controlled by the degree of vacuum in the wind-chestand including a second bellows connected to the wind-chest, and adaptedto operate an adjustable stop to limit the movement of saidfirst-mentioned bellows.

4.111 a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means forcontrolling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means includinga bellows, an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said bellowsand exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled means controlling thecommunication betweensaid bellows and exhausting mechanism, andcompensating means controlled by the degree of vacuum in the wind-chestto limit the movement of said bellows, said compensating means ineludinga smaller bellows connected to the wind-chest and located within theother bellows.

5. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means forcontrolling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means includingan expression regulating bellows, an exhausting mechanism. acommunication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism,a series of valve controlled passages of different effective sizes insaid communication between said ex pression bellows and exhaustingmechanism, and a variable stop for limiting the collapsing movement ofsaid expression bellows 6. In a device of the character described, awind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of-vacuum in thewind-chest, said means including an expression regulating bellows. anexhausting mechanism, a communication between said expression bellowsand exhausting mechanism, a series of valve controlled passages ofdifferent eflective sizes in said communication between said expressionbellows and exhausting mechanism, and a variable stop for limitingthecollapsing movement of said expression bellows, said variable stopadapted to be operated by a compensating bellows.

7. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means forcontrolling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means includingan expression regulating bellows. an exhausting mechanism, acommunication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism,a series of valve controlled passages of difierent effective sizes insaid communication between said expression bellows and exhaustingmechanism, and a variable stop for limiting the collapsing movement ofsaid expression bellows, said variable stop adapted to be operated by acompensating bellows connected to the windchest.

8. In a device of the character described, a music sheet, astriker-pneumatic, a windchest communicating with the striker-pneumatic,an exhausting mechanism, a passage connecting the wind-chest and theexhausting mechanism, a main expression valve controlling the passagebetween the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, an expressionbellows, a communication between said bellows and the exhaustingmechanism, a plurality of valve controlled passages of differenteffective sizes in said communication between said expression bellowsand exhausting mechanism, a compensating bellows, a connection betweensaid compensating bellows and the wind-chest. said expression bellowsand compensating bellows being so arranged with respect to each otherwhereby the collapsing movement of one is balanced against thecollapsing movement of the other, and a connection between one of saidbellows and the main expression valve.

9. In a device of the character described, a music sheet, astriker-pneumatic, a windchest communicating with the striker-pneumatic,an exhausting mechanism, a passage connecting the wind-chest and theexhausting mechanism, a main expression valve controlling the passagebetween the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, an expressionbellows, a communication between said bellows and the exhaustingmechanism, a plurality of passages of diiierent ettective sizes in saidcon'iinunication between said expression bellows and exhaustingmechanism, music sheet controlled valves in said ports, a compensatingbellows, a connection between said con'ipensating bellows and thewind-chest. said expression bellows and compensating bellows being soarranged with respect to each other whereby the collapsing movement ofone is balanced against the collapsing movement of the other, and aconnection between one of said bellows and the main expression valve.

10. In a device of the character described, a music sheet, astrikenpnenmatic, a windchest communicating with the striker-pneumatic,an exhausting mechanism, a passage connecting the wind-chest and theexhausting mechanism. a main expression valve control ling the passagebetween the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, an expressionbellows adapted to control the main expression valve, a communicationbetween said expression bellows and the exhausting mechanism, aplurality of valve controlled passages 01 different effective sizes insaid communication between said expression bellows and exhaustingmechanism, and a check valve in each of said ports permitting thepassage of air from the bellows to the exhausting mechanism but not inthe reverse direction.

lVitness my hand and seal this 13th day of April, 1922.

OSCAR H. ANDERSON. [n s]

